6/17/03--Everything You Wanted To Know About South Lamar/Bluebonnet & Walgreens But Were Afraid To Ask
Several neighbors have asked for clarification on the issues surrounding the zoning cases at South Lamar & Bluebonnet, and the Walgreens proposed for that area.  Sorry this is confusing. If it's any comfort, it's complex for those of us who've put in many, many hours studying it and I daresay, for the professional developers as well. Come to the meeting this Thursday, 6/19,  for the best understanding and to express your opinions. For those who want a primer or who can't come
Thursday, here's a brief review:

There are two zoning cases associated with the redevelopment of S. Lamar @ Bluebonnet. David Darr, a developer who builds Walgreens stores, has proposed to put a Walgreens at that corner, replacing the former Anna's Toys building and 1.3 acres of trailer park.

The Anna's property, called the Harper tract, has been passed by City Council on 1st & 2nd readings for rezoning to commercial (GR), which would qualify it for Walgreens or other intense commercial uses. It would require a third vote at Council, probably at their next meeting in July. On Harper the
SLNA Executive Committee (officers) support (agreeing with the Trailer Park Study Committee) a less intense commercial zoning (LO), that would allow for parking for the existing building were it used as a cafe or store. We hope Council will agree.

The 1.3 acres of trailer park is an odd-shaped piece just northeast of Maria's Taco and the boot shop. It's zoned single family (SF-3) and the owner has requested commercial (GR). That was passed June 10 by the Zoning and Platting Commission, a preliminary step before City Council. Council would now also have to vote on that. If it passed Council on third reading, which could happen in July or August, it is rezoned and Walgreens, or another intense commercial development, could procede.

There are several reasons to be concerned about GR zoning for that corner.  First, Walgreens might or might not get built if the zoning passes. GR would allow 90% impervious cover (concrete) and quite a bit of commercial traffic onto Bluebonnet, a small residential collector, as well as Lamar. The intersection flatly does not meet Walgreens' stated location criteria (the intersection of two major arterial streets). The current request would extend GR further into the neighborhood (from Lamar) than the current average 180-ft. depth for most of the existing commercial property in this
corridor.

The SLNA officers support (again agreeing with the Trailer Park Study Committee) only enough commercial zoning to extend to an 180-ft depth from Lamar. This would not provide for the Walgreens plan as presented by the developer, although it would allow commercial redevelopment comparable to
other land on Lamar. The developer has indicated that they would not deviate from their existing footprint, that they would only build the exact same project here that they have in suburban locations, or nothing.

There are of course arguments in favor of GR zoning and Walgreens. The main one is, that's what the landowner and developer want to do. We do (and must) respect the interests of the landowner to profit from the reasonable use of his property. There are conceivable worse uses of the property, and it's likely many neighbors would be customers.

The question I ask is, might there not be a better use of that land, with less negative impact? Isn't it reasonable to expect a landowner to develop respecting the traditional relationship between commercial and residential property extending along a neighborhood street from the arterial street? The city has allowed many neighborhoods to make clear requests for zoning
property in their areas, in the form of a Neighborhood Plan. We won't have that opportunity for some time yet, but shouldn't we have the same voice in shaping development? No development happens in a vacuum, and we should be concerned about impacts on where we live.

Please do study this, and make your opinion known to neighbors, to City Council members and to Walgreens. I hope to see you Thursday.

Regards,
Kevin
 

06/10/03--Zoning & Platting Commission Denies SLNA Zoning Request for S. Lamar/Bluebonnet
Hey guys.....
Bad news. The commission denied our request to zone part of the trailer park LR-CO and the rest SF6. They voted to recommend to City Council to zone only the 1.3 or so acres LR-CO and keeping the rest SF3. This puts Walgreens right on the corner of Bluebonnet and South Lamar with major access onto Bluebonnet. This will be going to City Council in a couple of weeks and we are strengthening our case. We will need your participation in filling that City Council room with the neighborhood. Please be aware of notices for this. This is the biggest thing so far that we have fought.

Thank you for any support that you can lend.

Marci Roberts
Co-Chair, Trailer Park Committee
 

06/05/03--WO Harper Property Rezoning Rescheduled
Hey folks. City Council voted to postpone for one week rezoning on the Harper tract (S. Lamar at Bluebonnet) aka former Anna's Toy Depot/Russell's.  Rezoning to GR was moved and seconded, but Council Member Goodman moved to postpone for more time to do research.

It will be heard for 3rd (final) reading June 12. The public hearing is closed but you can write Council (contact info may be found here) or sign a card opposed to GR next week at the meeting. Hopefully we can get them to agree with LO or NO zoning only.

Kevin
 

5/26/03--ANC Meeting 5/28
From our own local President of Austin Neighborhoods Council. Should be a very helpful program. -Kevin

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bryan King"
Subject: WED Meeting of ANC


> *****REMINDER*****
>
> Austin Neighborhoods Council May meeting is this Wednesday May 28th 7pm
> Austin Energy Building - 721 Barton Springs Road
>
> Special Program - YOUR PROPERTY TAXES!
> Speaker: Art Corey - Travis County Appraisal District
> ( I am sure you don't think you are getting to pay enough, right?)
> Bring your questions about appraisals and appeals.
>
> (Free parking is available in the garage behind Austin Energy)
>
> Please joins us Wed evening and pick up a couple of neighbors and bring them with you!!!
>
> See ya Wednesday
> Bryan
 

5/21/03--Trailer Park Hearing Postponed Until 6/10
The rezoning hearing on the Village Trailer Park (S. Lamar & Bluebonnet) at Zoning and Platting Commission has been postponed to June 10. We'll be investigating zoning options and gathering input in preparation for that hearing. Thanks to all who came to the 5/20 ZAP hearing in support.

-Kevin

5/13/03--Zoning Update: Trailer Park & Storage
Hey folks. Sorry if this is old news, but here's a quick update on two zoning cases pending:

Village Trailer Park (Lamar @ Bluebonnet) zoning change request at Zoning and Platting Commission was supposed to be on the 13th, but was postponed by staff till NEXT Tuesday, May 20. Please plan to attend. We're probably opposing GR for proposed Walgreens.

Kinney Rd. storage building request for parking requirement variance reconsideration at Board of Adjustment was supposed to be Monday 5/12 (last night) but was postponed to next month, I believe June 9. I'm unclear why this was postponed. Watch for updates.

Kevin
 

5/12/03--Trailer Park Rezoning Hearing Postponed 'til 5/20
Hello all,
I spoke with the case manager at COA this morning regarding the W.O. Harper / Trailer park.  The trailer park zoning case has been postponed until the 20th... it will not be tomorrow night.

The W.O. Harper case (Anna's Toys /  Russell's) should go to council for 2nd and 3rd reading on June 5th.

Bryan King
 

5/10/03--Trailer Park Rezoning Hearing May 13
Hey folks. Here's the official notice for Zoning and Platting Commission (ZAP) hearing May 13 (THIS TUESDAY) on rezoning the Village Trailer park (S. Lamar @ Bluebonnet behind Maria's Taco) from Single Family (SF-3) to Community Commercial (GR), which would allow shopping center or other commercial use. The stated goal is to sell part of it to a developer who would put in a Walgreens on about 30% of it. What would happen to the rest is undetermined.

We need to act quickly to determine our neighborhood's stance. Some of those at the last meeting in April were opposed to this rezoning, or to Walgreens plans as described. We were not shown drawings then, but just last week we saw some. The drawings we saw last week represent a plan very different from what was described at our April 17 meeting. The committee that has been studying this issue is planning to meet Monday night (after BOA hearing on Kinney Rd. storage variance) to discuss this. I believe our stance will be that we need a two-week postponement from Zoning and Platting Comm. to study the new information. It didn't help that the notice arrived while I was away on business. I just found it today. Please email your comments to the list, or to Marci Roberts or Carol Gibbs, co-chairs of the trailer park committee.

Here's a photo of the proposed rezoning for trailer park/ Walgreens, it shows both rezones outlined in blue:  W. O. Harper property and the trailer park - two cases.  The agent for both owners on the rezoning cases is Sarah Crocker, 476-6598. Sarah has asked that if you have questions about the plans or suggestions you should call her office. If you simply want to object to or support the idea of Walgreens going there, you could call Walgreens corporate at (800)289-2273.

The ZAP hearing is Tuesday, May 13, starts 6:00pm, 505 Barton Springs Rd. Rm.325. For more info contact Zoning and Planning Dept. 974-2975.

Kevin

5/3/03--City View Storage Variance Request (Again)
Hey folks. Lamar Storage, aka City View Storage is back at Board of Adjustment. The notice for request for reconsideration of self-storage/warehouse facility at Kinney Rd. & S. Lamar may be viewed here. They had requested a variance allowing fewer parking spaces and lost last month, so they're back asking to have it reconsidered May 12, a week from Monday at 505 Barton Springs Rd. Rm. 325. Meeting starts at 5:30pm. If the board looks at the written materials and decides not to reconsider the case, which is possible, it will die without further comment from us. If they decide to re-hear the case, they'll likely do it right then and we may comment at that time. Questions to Susan Walker of City of Austin 974-2202 or submit comments in writing to address on form.

Kevin